Television cameras to be allowed in court

A change in the law may soon be required if plans to allow television cameras into the court room go ahead.

The plans, which are expected to be included in the Queen’s speech in May, would allow cameras to film a judge’s summing up and sentencing remarks in the Court of Appeal. If successful, the plan would be extended to cover the Crown Court.

First proposed in September of last year the proposal has been confirmed by the Ministry of Justice as one which will enhance the concept of “open justice”.

Before the plans can go ahead there will need to be a change in the law as cameras have been forbidden in court since provisions were introduced in the Criminal Justice Act 1925 and reinforced in the Contempt of Court Act 1981.